“Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil” examines the trial of Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi bureaucrat instrumental in organizing the Holocaust. Eichmann was captured by Israeli agents in Argentina in 1960 and tried in Jerusalem for crimes against humanity. Hannah Arendt controversially described Eichmann as “terrifyingly normal,” emphasizing his thoughtlessness and blind obedience to orders rather than inherent sadism or hatred. He executed his role as a logistical organizer of mass deportations and killings with bureaucratic efficiency, seeing himself as a law-abiding citizen fulfilling his duties.

Arendt coined the term “banality of evil” to highlight how ordinary individuals, through moral disengagement and adherence to authority, can commit horrific acts. She criticized the trial for its theatrical nature and questioned Israel’s jurisdiction, arguing it was more about Jewish suffering than Eichmann’s crimes. Her work sparked debates on morality, justice, and the nature of evil, challenging traditional views on Nazi perpetrators.